Stocking top



G. C. ABERLE March 1, 1932.

STOCKING TOP Filed July 29, 1931 i W i 1 g INVENTOR TED STATES PATENT OFFICE GUSTAVE C. ABERLE, OF GLENSIDE, PENNSYLVANIA STOCKING TOP Application filed July 29,

This invention relates to a lace stocking top and more particularly to the arrangement and design of a plurality of foldable bands whereby the top may be folded for providing different lengths of stocking, a

plurality of garter engaging sections provided and the bands coacting to prevent runs.

Afeature of the invention resides in the sta gered relation of the lace figures of the various bands whereby the figures may coact with each other to limit the extent of travel of a run in the top.

Another feature of my invention resides in the arrangement of a plurality of diamond formations of lock stitches that collectively facilitate the folding of the top along definite lines to vary the length of the stocking.

Besides the above my invention is distinuished in the spacing of the end figures or 29 ormations of the various bands to define a strip along which the top is to be cut and stitched to produce a seam that may be readily sewed without interference by the lock stitch formations of the foldable bands.

My invention is also distinguished in the staggered relation of the lace figures and overlapping relation of the end portions of the figures so as to limit the extent of runs forming in the top.

With these and other objects in view the invention will be better understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a side elevation of the stocking illustrating my improved top.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the top, a portion being broken away to show the welt.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary portion of the top.

Referring to the drawings illustrating one of the many constructions of my invention, the numeral 1 designates the leg portion of a stocking to which is attached my improved top 2. This top 2 is preferably produced on a circular knitting machine to form a continuous tubular web 3 that is cut at a central point when the same is to be attached to the leg portion of a full fashion stocking in a manner as set forth in the patent to Hadfield #1,444,684. This tubular web 3 has arranged 1981. Serial No. 553,754.

over its surface a plurality of lace figures, each constructed as an individual figure and arranged in a particular relation with associated figures to restrict the distance of travel of a run forming in the top.

For the purpose of illustration, I have shown the lace figures as diamond shape formations 4 of lock stitches produced in a manner "well known in the trade. These diamond formations 4 are grouped in circular rows 5, 6 and 7 to provide a plurality of spaced bands 8, having not only ornamental characteristics but having also foldable characteristics for the purpose now' to be described.

As the diamond formations 4 are positioned with their apexes or end portions 9 arranged in spaced relation with each other, it will be appreciated that the top may be readily folded alon circular lines intersecting the apexes of the iamond formations. Due to the fact that-the diamond formations 4 are spaced a slight distance apart to'define web portions 10 of restricted areas, it will be appreciated that the folding operation of the top is facilitated thereby enabling the wearer to very readily fold the top 2 to readily adjust the length of the stocking.

Particular attention is called to the fact that the end lace figures or formations 4 are spaced a certain distance apart to define a strip 11 extending from the picot edge 12 of the top to the attaching edge 13 thereof. This strip 11 not only indicates the point at which the web 3 is to be cut along the line 13-13 for attachment to a full fashion leg but provides the required amount of material to-be readily formed into a seam and sewed without interference from the arrangement of the lace figures.

To complete the invention I provide a relatively narrow Welt 14 at the top edge portion of the web 3 which is adapted to'have a narrow gripping effect with the leg of the wearer to hold the lace figures in a neat taut arrangement over the leg of the wearer.

Due to the staggered relation of the formations 4 of the various rows and the fact that the end portions or apexes of the diamond formations have overla ping relation as shown in Figure 3, it will e appreciated that runs liable to form as indicated by the dotted lines 15 will be restricted in their distance of travel.

I am aware of the fact that in the manufacture of lace tops for stockings, diamond figures have been used before but in such uses the diamond figures have been arranged in vertical alignment with each other and are used in conjunction with a complete circle of lock stitches necessary as the runs are capable of passing by the diamond figures unless they are arranged in staggered relation as shown.

As a protection to the lowermost row of diamond formations, I may arrange a single stop run as indicated at 16. I am of the opinion that I am the first to provide a stocking top with lace figures arranged in staggered relations to restrict the distance of travel of a run and arranging the diamond formations in a circular formation so as to provide a plurality of foldable bands that may be readily folded for varying the length of a stocking.

Of course, it is to be understood that various designs of lace figures may be utilized other than diamond formations and the web may be formed either on a circular knitting machine or a full fashion knitting machine and therefore I do not desire to be limited in protection in any manner whatsoever except as set forth in the following claims.

What I claim is:

1. A lace stocking top having a plurality of rows of spaced diamond shape formations of lock stitches, the end portions of the diamond formations of one row being arranged in vertical overlapping relation wlth the end portions of the diamond formations of the adjacentrow for the purpose set forth.

2' A lace stocking comprising a plurality of rows of open work formations of lock stitches, said formations of each row being spaced a distance apart to form restricted foldable web portions, the web portions of one row paralleling the formations of the adjacent rows with the end portions of the for mations of each row arranged in overlapping relation with the formations of the adjacent rows 1n a walewise direction.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

' GUSTAVE C. ABERLE. 

